Spend 6 amazing days in Washington, DC that will put you on the path to your future in Diplomacy, Intelligence, and Defense. Join other high school students from around the country for this extraordinary opportunity to learn how America monitors potential threats, prepares for crisis, and plans for peace.

Making Your World a Safer Place

At NYLF National Security, students have a unique opportunity to talk directly with national security experts, learn about the latest intelligence strategies, and experience public service in action.

Washington, DC serves as the perfect stage for this dynamic, six-day program where outstanding high school students get an insider’s look at potential career paths, and then put everything they learn into practice in a challenging, hands-on simulation. NYLF National Security students also enjoy exclusive access to government agencies and one-on-one interactions with industry professionals.

Your participation in NYLF National Security will enhance your leadership skills and ultimately introduce you to a possible career in America’s national security, intelligence, or diplomatic fields. You will form friendships with future colleagues that will last a lifetime and gain the tools you need to help make your dream a reality.

Get Hands On

Intelligence

Our nation's Intelligence Community, comprised of sixteen organizations, plays a crucial role in maintaining safety and national security through seeking and collecting relevant information. Step into their shoes and discover firsthand the opportunities and challenges they face.

Diplomacy

Our diplomatic community comprised of various organizations such as the U.S Department of State, the United Nations, and the Peace Corps, all work together to conduct negotiations between representatives of groups or states through using the art of conflict resolution. Learn how these organizations employ their skills to always handle disputes between nations by focusing on the big picture.

Defense

Our defense community, comprised of the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S Coast Guard, utilize strategy and tactics to protect the integrity of our national territory and its institutions. Experience solving issues of national security where you will have to determine the use of military force or diplomatic means.

Interactive Speaking Events

Meet with highly respected civilian policy makers and senior military officers who are responsible for global and national security decisions, and hear from veterans from the Wounded Warrior Project and others involved in the implementation of national security strategies in a variety of keynote, panel, and small group speaking events.
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National Security Career Fair

Meet one-on-one with representatives from all branches of the military, federal agencies, military academies, and private companies to learn about the education and career opportunities available to you. Past participants have included the National Security Agency, West Point, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and more.
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National Security Crisis Simulation

In an engaging, real-world simulation, you’ll see how the nation’s top policy makers employ a crisis decision-making process using critical thinking, leadership, conflict resolution, and public speaking skills to tackle complex national decisions. You’ll receive briefings from national security professionals, which will give you insight into agency collaboration and information analysis.
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National Security Site Visits

Top professionals will welcome you at agencies, embassies, and military facilities. See diplomacy, intelligence and defense operations in action at sites such as the U.S. Department of State, the Pentagon, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Institute of Peace. Hear from a former member of Congress when you visit the floor of the House.
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Enrich Your Envision Experience

After completing the program, you have the opportunity to enhance your Envision experience by participating in the Cultural Extension in Washington, DC, where you will make new memories while exploring all that the nation’s capital has to offer. You may sign up for the Cultural Extension during the enrollment process.

NYLF National Security FAQs

If you are a high school student ready to build a path to success in college and a career in National Security, this program is for you.

To attend NYLF National Security, you must be in grades 9-11 during the 2017-2018 school year for the 2018 summer sessions. Many of our students are nominated by educators, leaders from youth organizations, and participating institutions, but open enrollments are welcome from qualified high school students who want to make the most of this opportunity.

Your tuition for NYLF National Security includes housing, onsite meals, supervisory personnel, program materials, all program activities, site visits, a Certificate of Completion and local transportation during the program.

However, your transportation to and from home and Washington, DC is NOT included in tuition. While attending the program, you will only need money for offsite meals, souvenirs, snacks, and other incidentals.

Your safety and well-being during the program is our highest priority. The program is structured so that you will reside in a safe, controlled environment. You will be closely supervised by professionally trained staff, including advisors who serve as educational facilitators and chaperones, security personnel, operations personnel and a program coordinator.

For nearly 30 years, Envision has achieved a stellar record of safely and successfully enriching the lives of students, providing them with superb educational experiences and professional supervision. Other Envision safety measures include:

Greeting students at the designated airport upon their arrival and providing shuttle service directly to the program site, as well as providing shuttle service back to the airport on departure day*

Maintaining a student-to-staff ratio of 17-to-1, with a classroom ratio of 25-to-1

Requiring all students to attend all activities

Checking rooms nightly and ensuring that students remain in their rooms

Having night monitors in place to support students who may become ill or who have an emergency during the night

Equipping all staff members with two-way communication devices

* There is a $70 nonrefundable roundtrip fee for shuttle service or a $35 fee for one-way shuttle service.

You should plan to wear professional attire during most program events. Professional attire includes: suits, dresses, skirts, or slacks paired with a button-up shirt or blouse and a suit jacket. Skirts/dresses must fall at or below the knee. Gentlemen must wear a tie. There will be opportunities during the conference for you to wear relaxed professional attire or casual attire, including jeans.

Comfortable dress shoes are essential (heels are not recommended). You will be walking a great deal throughout the program.

Students who belong to organizations or attend military schools with an official professional military uniform may wear their uniforms during the program. Fatigues and casual uniform attire, however, will not be permitted at events requiring professional attire.

You are expected to abide by the Student Code of Conduct. You also must abide by and uphold all conference rules. We expect you to conduct yourself as a mature and responsible leader who represents your school and community.

Yes. If you are a student with special needs or with disabilities, we encourage you to call our Office of Admissions for more information or to discuss your particular needs prior to enrolling in the program. We may be able to provide you with auxiliary aids and services to assist you.

Yes. Your tuition does not include transportation to and from Washington, D.C. We recommend that you make necessary flight arrangements only AFTER you receive confirmation that you are officially enrolled.

The first step of your leadership journey includes assessing your strengths and opportunities for growth. To aid in this assessment, you must complete a brief pre-program assignment entitled Feedback for Understanding Emerging Leaders (FUEL).

The FUEL assignment will be available on your personal MyEnvisionExperience.com web page after you enroll. It simply requires that you choose five mentors – teachers, coaches, youth group leaders or other trusted adults – to complete a short survey about your leadership strengths. You also will complete a short self-assessment as part of the FUEL assignment.

We make every effort to meet the dietary needs of all our students, provided the request is submitted prior to the start of the conference. When you complete the Student Information Form, you will have the opportunity to make special dietary requests.